Optical Challenge Codes for Location-Based Network Authorization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network authorization systems lack an efficient method to verify the location of mobile devices making network requests, leading to potential unauthorized access or incorrect approval of requests.
Innovation Solution
A network environment where light fixtures transmit challenge codes that can be detected by mobile devices, allowing a computing device to authorize network requests based on the visibility of these codes from authorized locations, thereby determining the device's location and approving or rejecting the request accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If network requests are approved based on traditional authorization methods, then network access is granted, but security against unauthorized access from incorrect locations is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
Light fixtures serve as intermediary devices that transmit optical challenge codes to mobile devices. The computing device acts as a mediator that coordinates between light fixtures, mobile devices, and network authorization, using the optical challenge-response mechanism to verify location without requiring complex dedicated hardware at the mobile device
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical or electronic authorization systems with an optical challenge-response system. Light fixtures use optical signals (visible or invisible light) to transmit challenge codes, and mobile devices use cameras or optical sensors to detect and process these codes, substituting physical proximity verification with optical verification
2Measurement precision
If optical challenge codes are transmitted by light fixtures, then location verification accuracy is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Light fixtures perform multiple functions: they provide illumination for the environment and simultaneously transmit optical challenge codes for location verification. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve precise location verification without adding dedicated energy-consuming verification devices, as the lighting infrastructure is already present and powered
Solution Approach 2:
The existing lighting infrastructure serves the dual purpose of illumination and authentication. The light fixtures use their inherent optical emission capability to transmit challenge codes, and the mobile devices use their existing camera or optical sensor hardware to detect these codes, requiring no additional energy-consuming components
3Reliability
If traditional network authorization is used, then system simplicity is maintained, but security against unauthorized access is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary location verification through optical challenge-response before granting network authorization. The computing device receives the optical challenge codes, determines the mobile device's location, and verifies authorization status before allowing network access, preventing unauthorized access attempts at the network level
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback loop where the computing device receives optical challenge codes from light fixtures, processes location information, determines authorization status, and provides appropriate responses. The system can also provide feedback by controlling light fixtures to indicate authorization status or provide directional guidance
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method ensures that network requests are approved only from authorized locations, enhancing security and accuracy by using optical challenge codes transmitted by light fixtures to verify the mobile device's position within the network environment.
Implementation Method 1
controlling a plurality of light fixtures to each optically transmit a respective challenge code
Implementation Method 2
A mobile device detects one or more of the challenge codes
Data Source
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Figure 2B
AI summary
A computing device determines whether or not to authorize a network request. In particular, responsive to the computing device receiving the network request from a mobile device, the computing device controls a plurality of light fixtures to each optically transmit a respective challenge code. The computing device approves or rejects the network request based respectively on whether or not a group of the challenge codes is received from the mobile device, each challenge code in the group being optically receivable at a location authorized for approving the network request.